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Safety Program Resources

Cannabis Cultivation, Processing, or Product Manufacture

Industry Description

Industry News

Getting Started?

Start with a GAP, see the Benefits of Improving Your Safety Plan

Meet Our Team

GAP Analysis

Have Questions?

Contact AgSafe and book a walkthrough of your current Safety Program with a safety consultant or advisor in your area.

Certificate of Recognition

The Certificate of Recognition (COR) program is a natural extension of your existing health and safety program.

COR

Cannabis

Quick Start

The Quick Start section is designed to give employers the first few building blocks for building a strong and robust Safety Program customized to their site.

Document Title	Link
Safety Talk Template	PDF
Safety Talk Template	WORD
Policy Statement	WORD
First Aid Assessments	WEB APP
Safe Work Procedure/Practice Policy	WORD

Additional Documents

Documents, Resources & More

LINK

Documents for your complete Safety Program,
Certificate of Recognition (COR) audit needs and more

Employers are encouraged to customize all of the documents available on the page to fit their individual operation’s needs.

Large Employer20 or MORE Full Time Employees

Small Employer19 or LESS Full Time Employees

Administration

Documents, Links & More

PDF

WORD

LINK

EXTERAL LINK

Employers are encouraged to customize all of the administrative documents available on this page to fit their individual operation’s needs.

Action Plans

Due Diligence Checklist with Action Plan

Priorities: Must-Do Documents

Safety Program To-Do List

Competency

Competency Deficiency Log

Competency Deficiency Log | SAMPLE

Employee Training Record Form

Training Provided Log

Risk Assessments

Risk Assessment Worksheet | BLANK

Risk-Assessment Matrix and Template

Safety Meetings

Safety Meeting Template

Supervisor

Safety Duties Chart

Supplemental Instructions

Work Engagement Form

Bullying & Harassment

Documents, Links & More

LINK

Employers are encouraged to customize all of the documents available on the Bullying & Harassment page to fit their individual operation’s needs.

Bullying and Harassment

Confined Spaces

Documents, Links & More

LINK

Employers are encouraged to customize all of the confined space documents available on the confined spaces page to fit their individual operation’s needs.

Confined Spaces

Emergency Planning

Documents, Links & More

LINK

Employers are encouraged to customize all of the documents available on the emergency planning pages to fit their individual operation’s needs.

General

Flooding

Wildfire

First Aid

Assessment, Documents & More

LINK

Employers are encouraged to customize all of the documents available on the first aid pages to fit their individual operation’s needs.

First Aid Resources

First Aid Assessment

Hiring Farm Labour Contractors

Documents, Links & More

INFORMATION

Employers are encouraged to customize all of the inspection documents available on this page to fit their individual operation’s needs.

These FAQs are intended as guidance only and does not replace the Workers Compensation Act or Occupational Health and Safety Regulations. Contact your local AgSafe representative for more information.

#	Q & A
Q.1	Who is responsible for Farm Labour Contractors (FLCs) while they are on site?
A.1	This depends whether the FLC has left an appointed supervisor on site – if there is a FLC appointed supervisor then all direction to the workers should flow through that supervisor and thus the FLC is responsible for their workers. If there is no FLC appointed supervisor, the owner of the site is responsible for the FLC supplied workers and all OHS requirements. It is very important that all workers on your site are aware of any hazard that may impact their ability to work safely on site.
Q.2	Do I, as an employer have to orientate and train the FLCs?
A.2	You will need to provide an orientation for the FLC appointed supervisor that can then be disseminated to the rest of the FLC supplied workers. If there is no FLC appointed supervisor, then you must orientate and train the FLC supplied workers.
Q.3	Do I, as an employer have to provide first aid for the FLC supplied workers?
A.3	Yes, however FLCs must provide the vehicle used to transport the workers with appropriate first aid equipment on board. The AgSafe First Aid Assessment Web App assists with determining the first aid requirements for each workplace.
Q.4	Do I as an employer have to supervise the FLC supplied workers?
A.4	This depends whether the FLC appointed supervisor is on site or not. If you have concerns relating to FLC supplied worker safety performance you will need to discuss your concerns directly with the site appointed FLC supervisor. If the FLC appointed supervisor is not available, you may address directly with the worker and report your concerns as soon as possible to the FLC supervisor.
Q.5	What kinds of work can FLC supplied workers perform while on site? Field work trimming, harvesting, drying, operating mobile equipment?
A.5	FLC supplied workers can perform industry-specific tasks once formal certificates and records of training have been presented.
Q.6	What happens if I don’t get the same workers supplied every day from the FLC?
A.6	Have this conversation with the FLC controller, or whoever schedules the workers. Remember that all FLC supplied workers need to be trained and orientated to the tasks they will perform on site.
Q.7	How do I look up their WorkSafeBC coverage?
A.7	Exceptionally important - consider adding each contractor to your WorkSafeBC online account clearance alerts.
Q.8	Do I have to look up their WorkSafeBC coverage every time they are on site?
A.8	Coverage needs to be proven for the entire duration that they are on site. Clearance letters will need to be obtained at the beginning and end of the duration of contract - consider adding each contractor to your WorkSafeBC online account clearance alerts.
Q.9	What happens if they are doing something that I need to correct? Am I their supervisor?
A.9	If there is no FLC appointed supervisor on site, you are their supervisor and must supervise FLC supplied workers as you would your own employees. If there is a FLC appointed supervisor on site, address your concerns with them to then direct the FLC supplied workers - unless the FLC supplied worker is doing something dangerous that could harm themselves or another worker or damage property, then address your concerns directly to the FLC supplied worker – and report your concerns to the FLC appointed supervisor.
Q.10	What if FLC supplied workers don’t speak English? Must all OHS material have to be in the language they speak?
A.10	You have to prove FLC supplied worker comprehension of all OHS training and orientation material. Discuss this with the FLC provider to see if they can provide an interpreter. Ensure all OHS material is in the language of the workers on site. AgSafe has many translated OHS documents to aid in this.
Q.11	How do I ensure FLC supplied workers comply with COVID-19 orders and protocols?
A.11	The worksite dictates the COVID-19 safety plan. When on site, FLC supplied workers must follow COVID-19 work site safety plans. This includes physical distancing, as per WorkSafeBC and Public Health orders. Where distancing cannot be maintained, ensure barriers and masks are utilized as part of your COVID-19 safety plan.
Q.12	As an employer am I liable for FLC supplied workers if I know FLC supplied workers are travelling in an unsafe vehicle to and from the site?
A.12	Employers who contract with FLCs are expected to exercise an oversight function when the vehicle arrives on site. Please see this excerpt from the WorkSafeBC guidelines: G3.1-2 Farm labour contractors and growers - Responsibilities and OHS programs Examples of the application of OHS requirements to FLCs and growers. The following will assist with an understanding of the application of occupational health and safety requirements to FLCs, and growers who contract for their services. 1. Worker transport vehicles:  These are typically owned and operated by FLCs. As such FLCs are responsible for all aspects of safety of the vehicle including condition, maintenance, operation, and use. Requirements apply under provisions such as Part 17 (Worker transportation) of the Regulation, and those under the Motor Vehicle Act. Growers who contract with FLCs are expected to exercise an oversight function when the vehicle arrives on site. Should they observe any faulty condition of the vehicle or unsafe operation they should draw it to the attention of the FLC to ensure it is corrected. In addition, as owners, the growers have a responsibility to make sure that the site is safe, including any roadway to be used by the worker transport vehicle operated by the FLC. The site owner is required to ensure the FLC is informed of any hazards once the FLC vehicle accesses the site. Any hazards the driver may face will need to be discussed with the driver prior to the driver accessing the owner’s site. Full WorkSafeBC Guidelines: Link
Q.13	Do I include the FLC appointed supervisor in safety meetings? Do they need to sign off on safety meetings while on site?
A.13	If there is a FLC appointed supervisor, include them in your safety meetings. It is very important that all workers on your site are aware of any hazard that may impact their ability to work safely on site. If there is no FLC appointed supervisor, then include the FLC supplied workers as you would your own employees.
Q.14	Who is responsible for FLC supplied workers on site without an FLC appointed Supervisor?
A.14	Under this scenario, treat FLC supplied workers as your own workers as this is how WorkSafeBC will view them.
Q.15	How do I discipline a FLC supplied worker?
A.15	If there is no FLC appointed supervisor, discipline FLC supplied workers as per your progressive disciplinary site policies would your own employee - ensure a progressive discipline policy is included in your FLC appointed supervisor orientation. If there is a FLC appointed supervisor on site report your concerns to the FLC appointed supervisor for FLC disciplinary procedures.

Inspections

Documents, Links & More

PDF

WORD

LINK

EXTERAL LINK

Employers are encouraged to customize all of the inspection documents available on this page to fit their individual operation’s needs.

Hazards

Hazard Identification Tool

Mobile Equipment

Pre Shift Mobile Equipment Policy

Mobile Equipment Inspection Booklet | SAMPLE

Orientations

Documents, Links & More

LINK

Employers are encouraged to customize all of the orentation documents available on the New and Young Workers page to fit their individual operation’s needs.

New & Young Workers

Pesticide Safety

Documents, Links & More

LINK

Employers are encouraged to customize all of the documents available on the pesticide safety page to fit their individual operation’s needs.

Pesticide Safety

Policies

Documents, Links & More

PDF

WORD

LINK

EXTERAL LINK

Employers are encouraged to customize all of the policy documents available on this page to fit their individual operation’s needs.

Discipline

Discipline Policy

Drug Policy

General

OH&S Policy Statement

Policy Log

Responsibilities for Health and Safety

Third-Party Links

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Responsibilities - Employers | WorkSafeBC

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Responsibilities - Supervisors | WorkSafeBC

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Responsibilities - Workers | WorkSafeBC

Return to Work

Documents, Links & More

LINK

Employers are encouraged to customize all of the documents available on the return to work pages to fit their individual operation’s needs.

Information

Documents

Safety Meetings

Documents, Links & More

PDF

WORD

LINK

EXTERAL LINK

Employers are encouraged to customize all of the safety meeting documents available on this page to fit their individual operation’s needs.

Atmosphere

Hazard Alert: Atmospheric Conditions

Hazard Alert: Carbon Monoxide

Lighting

UV Lighting

WHMIS

WHMIS Safety Data Sheet Information

Topic	Available From	Link
Bioaerosol Health Effects	Taylor & Francis Online	Link
Bullying and Harassment	WorkSafeBC	Link
Carbon Monoxide	WorkSafeBC	Link
CO2	WorkSafeBC	Link
Cold Exposure	WorkSafeBC	Link
Electrical Safety	WorkSafeBC	Link
Emergency Preparedness	WorkSafeBC	Link
Heat Stress	WorkSafeBC	Link
Health & Safety Requirements in the Cannabis Cultivation Industry	WorkSafeBC	Link
Isopropyl Alcohol	Vancouver Island University	Link
Mobile Equipment: Pedestrian Safety	BC Forest Safety	Link
Noise	WorkSafeBC	Link
Ozone	WorkSafeBC	Link
Safe Handling and Storage of Fertilizers	WorkSafeBC	Link
Slips, Trips, Falls	WorkSafeBC	Link
Sulphur	Gov BC	Link
UV Light	WorkSafeBC	Link
WHMIS, Chemicals, Chemical Storage, Flammable Substances, Isopropyl Alcohol.	WorkSafeBC	Link
Working Alone	WorkSafeBC	Link
Working at Heights, Ladders, Fall Protection.	WorkSafeBC	Link
Workplace Violence	WorkSafeBC	Link

Task Management

Documents, Links & More

PDF

WORD

LINK

EXTERAL LINK

Employers are encouraged to customize all of the task management documents available on this page to fit their individual operation’s needs.

Each Task Management Package should include the following 4 document types (Risk Assessment, Safe Work Practice, Competency Checklist, and Employee Check-off ). A package may also include additional documentation depending on the task.

If you need assistance with customizing a Task Management Package template below, or cannot find a Package that meets your organization's needs, AgSafe BC has Consultants and Advisors available throughout B.C. to assist with customizing something that works for you!